So I had that argument with my friend (who is much better than I, probably top 2-4 in our area). I was saying that you need to twist your forearm when swinging through the bird, he said I should stop reading stuff and told me to just snap (more of a jerk than a snap actually) my wrist while keeping my forearm more straight...

I mean he is really good but I just want to start out with the correct method...

so which is it?

Originally posted by tropicalmouse
... he said I should stop reading stuff ...

I mean he is really good but I just want to start out with the correct method...

so which is it?

I'm assuming that the "stuff" you are referring to is the stuff in this forum? In that case, it's up to you to decide whether to read this "stuff" or not. All this "stuff" can be found by doing a simple search. But I thought you already read the "stuff". :D

There are many forms or strokes. Besides the obviously wrong ones, many ppl might find different strokes actually work for different individuals. There's no point to take any advice just for granted, regardless how skillful / knowledgable the original speaker was.

It's like pick a racket, popular choice might not be ur favorite. Somethnig no one likes might be ur best weapon. Try it out, if u r willing to discover ur own ability. If you want to be conservative, get a reputable coach/instructors to learn the most "common" ways.

Plus, learn stroke/moves from the basics, not try to perform some tricky shots without getting the proper fundamentals.

The turn of the forearm is called "PRONATION" which is used for forehand shots, preparation is basically looking at your palm you should see the inside of your arm is the starting point finishing up with looking at the face of your watch with the forearm turning towards the outside of your body.

This is the more widley taught method because the technique gives power with not much effort

i was actually taught 2 methods of how to hit the bird..... i just use the one i am most comfortable with....

Here we go again! :p

Indeed, there are many forms of strokes, but there is only one way to hit a full baseline-to-baseline clear, and that is by pronation of the forearm. (Well, actually a good part of the power comes from hip rotation as well, but the point is that with good pronation you can clear base-to-base standing still, with both feet planted.)

Your friend may think he is producing a "snap of the wrist", because that is what is feels like, but the power actually comes from the pronation. Cocking the wrist produces no power, it just provides the angle for steep shots or cuts.

The importance of pronation in badminton strokes has been fully acknowledged since 1977, when a team of scientists produced high-speed photographic evidence at a coaching conference. There have been numerous kinetic studies since then confirming this. In fact, it has even been shown that the most hard-hitting players use an angle between forearm and racquet shaft is 135 degrees when the shuttle is hit.

Before 1977, coaches would tell their players to snap the wrist to produce more power. Players did as they were told -- or so they thought -- but as it turned out, and this is what the high-speed cameras revealed, they were developing their pronation technique.
So, in that sense I agree with your friend: badminton is best learnt by practising on court, not by theory!

I suggest you let your friend believe what he likes. If he has a good stroke, he's pronating, whether he thinks it or not. :D

since you have someone around that you could learn a few things from, why not stop arguing and open your eyes to see how he does it and maybe can learn some things from him.
it's fine to read all our "stuff", but unless you are completely competent with our "stuff" you'll never be able to successful win an argument about any of it with someone who is competent with theirs. you're simply enlisting support to go back to try to win an argument you lost.

Originally posted by Mag
[B]Here we go again! :p

there is only one way to hit a full baseline-to-baseline clear, and that is by pronation of the forearm. (Well, actually a good part of the power comes from hip rotation as well, but the point is that with good pronation you can clear base-to-base standing still, with both feet planted.)

[B]

I beg to differ I can hit a full baseline to baseline clear just usung panhandle and straight forearm hit. So to say you can only hit good clears using pronation is wrong, but is is the easiest method.

I can also hit baseline to baseline with both feet planted pronation and also suprination (backhand to you and me)

i have been told that for overheads you should turn your forearm and not use your wrist.

I use a combination of snapping and pronate (or reverse pronate) in my forehand strokes. Anyone else here do the same?
Perhaps someone here can also tell me more about backhand.

Originally posted by Dill
I beg to differ I can hit a full baseline to baseline clear just usung panhandle and straight forearm hit. So to say you can only hit good clears using pronation is wrong, but is is the easiest method.

Good for you. It is also possible to scrub a floor using a toothbrush -- and yet most people don't.